<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631</id><updated>2012-01-28T00:01:48.357-08:00</updated><title type='text'>The Wintch Family</title><subtitle type='html'>Brad. Erika. Mason. Hayden.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>34</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-9132729613581831077</id><published>2012-01-27T23:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2012-01-28T00:01:48.376-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Umm..wow!</title><content type='html'>Wow! I am seriously the worst blogger in the history of bloggerdom! Considering I never take pictures, which is seriously horrible (besides on my phone). Maybe I should at least blog some of the events in our lives! My memory is horrible, so I should probably start writing things down. I like to say I have "CRS" Can't Remeber Sh*#. Lol.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway it has been almost a year since I wrote last and A LOT has happened, obviously! First lets start with the kids. Mason is almost 3 years old and has had a crazy but good year for him. He has been doing really well in speech and early intervention! Just last week he got diagnosed with PDD-NOS, and for those of you who don't know, it basically means he has autistic characteristics, but not enough to be fully diagnosed as autistic. There are some things going around saying there is a possibility that they will change the terms of the autism spectrum, which would mean apergers and PDD, would no long be considered "with" that category. Kind of a scary thing because these kids also need the services. I will have to say how EXTREMELY grateful I am for the amazing services we are offered! He gets speech 2x a week and early intervention 3x a week in our home. It has really helped him in his communication as well as play, social interaction and many other things. He has had a little bit of a regression in the past couple weeks, but that can be pretty normal, especially with him getting closer to 3, he is definitely testing his limits. It is a struggle every day to deal with Mason, but I am extremely thankful for my sweet boy. He is so hilarious and makes me smile everyday! I definitely believe he was put in my life for a reason, and even though it can be hard, I will always give my all for him. He is talking SO much more, which makes me beyond happy! And now is really starting to show more love for his little brother! He got his first set of stitches a week ago (no fun for me!) and was such a trooper, but was really concerned about the crying baby in the ER that he really thought was his "Bubba". He was so sad, and I kept trying to explain to him that it wasn't bubba! Although, it did sound A LOT like him! Weird!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for Hayden, he is a big one year old now! He is the funniest, and happiest little boy! He is learning so much so fast and it is just astonishing to watch him! Although, he is already throwing fits, including laying on the ground and throwing them! What the heck, seriously, a 1 year old! lol. He knows what he wants though! haha. He is walking like a champ! Started walking about 2 weeks before he turned 1 and has completely taken off! He says "G0" "mama', "dada", "cracker", and "doggy". He loves his big brother, and loves to dance just like him! He can clap, blow kisses, put his arms up for touchdown, show you his belly and a couple other things! Gotta love that silly little man! Oh and he LOVES attention! So funny! I will say he is definitely not as cuddly as Mason was though, which is weird for me! haha. At least Mason still loves to cuddle!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am doing well! Just extremely busy! I have been selling some crafts on the side, doing school ( a medical billing and coding program, just until I can get back to school for my teaching degree), and babysitting, trying to keep this house clean and organized! It just seems like a lot of crazy lately! I love being busy, but it has been maybe a little too much busy lately. It is gonna get even crazier when Mason starts preschool in a month or two and Occupational Therapy! Oh boy!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, I think that is gonna be all for now, I really need to get to bed! Goodnight all!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-9132729613581831077?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/9132729613581831077/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=9132729613581831077' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/9132729613581831077'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/9132729613581831077'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2012/01/ummwow.html' title='Umm..wow!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-3537077550115049750</id><published>2011-03-25T23:04:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2011-03-25T23:27:31.754-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Lots to write about!</title><content type='html'>So I am borrowing my friend Caitlin's computer so I can FINALLY update my blog. Brad has our computer, so I have been left using my phone as the internet, and it is not the easiest to update the blog from there. haha. So here it goes!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We moved to San Diego, and I am LOVING it so far! Our house is great, and has the perfect amount of space for our family! Our friend Joey is moving in with us soon just to help out a little bit money wise, which will be nice! Brad will get here at the end of next month and I CANNOT wait! I need my husband! My friend Caitlin moved here in January, so it has been nice having her here, and right down the street! She is an amazing friend, and I am so happy I met her while we were in IL. We have become really close, and it is nice to know I have someone to talk to here. I also have met some other great girls here so far! I did Stroller Strides with them the other day, and I am going to continue it because I loved it! Mason started getting mad toward the end because he didn't want to be sitting in the stroller..but hopefully he will get used to it!! Cause I can't wait to keep going.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason turned 2 last week, and boy have his terrible two's kicked in. I have been having a really rough time with him and being by myself. I feel bad for him, because I know he doesn't understand why his dad comes for a short visit and then leaves again..and I am sure that has a lot to do with his behavior. And I also think him not talking is also not helping, but I will get to that in a minute. I have been feeling like a failure as a mom lately because of the way he has been acting. There are TONS of temper tantrums and screaming and whining. I am getting so frustrated. I feel like it is my fault he is acting this way, and I don't know how to fix it. He has started pushing other kids occasionally, and that is not cool! I just do not know what to do anymore. I am in the process of telling him everytime he screams that I do not understand the screaming, he needs to talk so I can understand him, and if he continues I walk away. And we are also doing time outs. I am seeing some improvement, but it is so hard. I cannot wait till Brad gets here, hopefully he will start acting a little better. He isn't the most horrible child, I guess it is just more frustrating because I am by myself. At his two year check up, the doctor was concerned about his speech. He isn't saying more than 20 words and not putting two to three words together, and the words he is saying are more like just part of the word. So he has an appointment with a speech pathologist on May 3rd, I am really hoping this helps. He had another double ear infection though, so that could possibly be the reason of his delayed speech, we shall see. And then she was making me feel like something is wrong with him, so now I am constantly worrying about things. She mentioned his head size and his behavior cause he was freaking out when she went to go check him out. Now all I can think about is things that could be wrong. I hate it. Other than that, he is doing really good. He had an amazing birthday party. And now weighs 37 pounds!!!! Isn't that crazy! He still LOVES to dance and we play dance central all the time! He has become a crazy little boy and runs around the house jumping and saying "yeah, yeah, yeah" haha. It is pretty funny! He is still a little lover and loves to give me hugs and kisses, and I can't complain! :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hayden is 3 months old already! So crazy! He is such a good little baby, and sleeps amazing still! At his 2 month check up we found out he wasn't gaining enough weight, so we had to start supplementing as I am not producing enough milk. Since then I have tried different things and was even taking 12 fenugreek pills a day, and nothing has worked, I am now only getting about an ounce to 2 ounces when I pump. So I  just going to stop breastfeeding. I feel bad, but being by myself and Mason acting out I am having a hard time. I am just happy I got to feed him breastmilk for 3 months! And I still have some in the freezer, so he will have it for a little bit longer. He has started to smile and do a little giggle! The cutest thing ever! He has the cutest little personality and is so calm and relaxed! Him and Mason seem to be complete opposites so far! I have a feeling they will be best friends though. Hayden was watching Mason play with a balloon today and just laughing and smiling! So cute!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hopefully I can try and update a little more often, and once Brad gets here it will be easier! :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-3537077550115049750?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/3537077550115049750/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=3537077550115049750' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/3537077550115049750'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/3537077550115049750'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2011/03/lots-to-write-abot.html' title='Lots to write about!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-6749529220938378116</id><published>2011-01-21T15:53:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2011-01-21T16:15:34.300-08:00</updated><title type='text'>So much new!</title><content type='html'>Okay first and foremost, I seriously promise to be a better blogger! haha. There has been so much going on and every time I sit down to do this..I get interrupted. So right now Mason is outside playing with my sister and Hayden is sleeping..hopefully it stays that way so I can get through this long post. haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Things have been great! We have been in Vegas at my moms for 3 months now, and I can't believe it has already been that long! Time is just flying by. Especially since I had Hayden! Crazy! I will go back to December. Brad got here with all our stuff (which is just sitting in storage) and we had a great time for the 2 weeks he got to be here. It was just sort of crazy because all of the stuff we had going on while he was here. Baby, Christmas and trying to see everybody. I am so glad he got to be here though..and now I can't wait till he gets to be with us again! This being separated stuff sucks! But we are definitely being able to save money and pay things off which is amazing!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Hayden Cole got here on December 23rd! He weighed 8lbs 9oz. and was 20 1/4" long. He weighed the exact same as Mason! How crazy is that! He was an inch longer than Mason though! :) We had a repeat C-Section and it went pretty smooth. We went in at 5am and that morning and Hayden was born at 10:13..so that morning was just waiting around for them to take me back. I was super nervous about the spinal. Because with Mason I was in labor when I got the epidural the pain from it didn't bother me whatsoever. But this time I knew I wouldn't be in pain beforehand so I was nervous. It wasn't bad though! I did end up getting sick when they were sewing me up though and had to throw up..that was no fun. I was did not feel good at all. I went to recovery for almost 2 hours after he was born. I do not remember any of it though because I had them give me versaid (sp?) and it made me not remember the recovery room very much. haha. I had them give it to me because I was feeling so sick and having this weird feeling in my chest..it definitely calmed me down and made me feel better! After that I went into my room and finally got to hold Hayden! He is so amazing! I was so worried about not being able to love another baby as much as I love Mason, but that worry went right out the window as soon as I saw him! I love being a mom! They actually let me go home the next day on Christmas Eve, which is unheard of after a C-Section! But I told them my mom was a labor and delivery nurse and they knew I had Mason at home so I think they were just trying to be nice. The recovery has been pretty good. I feel fantastic now and it's been 4 weeks! The beginning was a little rough, but not too bad. Hayden is such a good baby! He pretty much sleeps through the night! Breastfeeding is going amazing, and I am so happy! We love having Hayden around! :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason is doing great! I can't believe he is going to be 2 in 2 months! What the heck! That went by way too fast! He is kind of being a turd lately, but that is to be expected I guess. He was pretty jealous of Hayden at first..but is starting to do a little bit better. He is talking so much more, even though some of it is not so easily understandable, I know what he is trying to say! haha. He is also speaking in his own language at times. It cracks me up. He looks at me like I am supposed to know what he is saying! lol. He had a rough month and a half with sickness. He had a double ear infection, then the flu, then a cold, then bronchilitis, then croup and then another cold! Poor kid! I guess the bronchilitis is recurring and the doctor said it could happen every year around Christmas until he is a teenager. I am really hoping that is not true, because none of us get much sleep when he has that! He is being a good big brother and likes to give Hayden kisses, its so cute! He misses his daddy a lot though. I cannot wait till we can be together again!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are hoping to move to San Diego in March. I am in the process of seeing if I can get base housing then. We shall see! If not I will have to keep looking off base, which is hard! Other than that, nothing else really exciting is going on! I am gonna start watching Preston again on Monday so that is exciting! Mason needs a buddy to play with! I promise I will be updating this thing more! :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-6749529220938378116?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/6749529220938378116/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=6749529220938378116' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6749529220938378116'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6749529220938378116'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2011/01/so-much-new.html' title='So much new!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5101926574194637623</id><published>2010-11-06T07:50:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-11-06T08:05:56.806-07:00</updated><title type='text'>In need of an update..</title><content type='html'>Man..I am slacking on blogging like it's nobody's business! So here is an update..&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;The last few weeks have been crazy busy. We have been nothing but go, go, go! And thank goodness that is over. Let's start with our roadtrip..it was TERRIBLE! Mason screamed, cried, and whined pretty much the entire time. I finally stopped and got hom Benadryl (mom of the year I know) to see if he would sleep. And seriously, that didn't even really help. It sucked, and made Brad and I both irritable, so let's just say we are not attempting a long car trip again for a very long time! We did the whole trip in 36 hours though, which is not bad timing at all..especially with a screaming toddler. I think we just toughed it out cause we just wanted to get it over with as fast as possible. We got here late and then drove to San Diego pretty much the next day. And Mason was a completely different child on that drive. On the way there he was soooo good. I was shocked! And on the way back he slept the whole time! It was crazy! We had a blast in San Diego and took Mason to the beach for the first time, he loved it! I am so excited for when we get to move there!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We got a little bad news..Brad's school was changed to Virginia so we won't be moving to San Diego until May. The ONLY good thing about this is we have a chance to save up quite a bit of money and pay some things off..which is awesome! But this means more time apart, which I am pretty bummed about. And Brad is having a hard time missing out on Mason, and now he will miss out on Hayden. Hopefully his ship doesn't deploy soon after we get to San Diego either, cause that will suck! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Things have been going pretty well here. Mason is EXTREMELY shy. So he won't really let anyone else hold him or anything. Which is kind of a pain in the butt considering it is getting hard for me to lift my 35 lb child! He has warmed up to my mom and sister Madison now though..so that definitely helps now when I am home. And living with my mom is so amazing having the help! I am so grateful to them for letting us stay here during this time! Don't know what I would do without them. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;We went up to Reno for Halloween weekend. It was so fun and I wish I could have stayed longer, but of course I had doctor appointments to go to. Mason got to play with his cousins Katelyn and Kristina and had a blast! I am so glad we got to go. He of course was not so good at the a trick or treating cause of his shyness, but he still had fun walking. lol. We all caught a lovely little stomach bug, Mason and the girls had it while we were there and then my sister in law and myself got it just a couple days ago. Oh man, I hate being sick. So glad I am feeling much better though.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Mason has been doing good! He has been a little whiney and throwing some tantrums lately. But I think with all the changes we have made in the past couple weeks, that is normal. It is just driving me a little crazy. I am trying to stay completly patient hoping it will pass soon! He seems to be in a good mood today, I hope. haha. Anyway..I have to get ready, we are headed out to my dad's for the day! :) I will post pictures later!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5101926574194637623?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5101926574194637623/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5101926574194637623' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5101926574194637623'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5101926574194637623'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/11/in-need-of-update.html' title='In need of an update..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-2474369547762672429</id><published>2010-10-11T19:10:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-11T19:26:07.324-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Gigantic!</title><content type='html'>So I had my last doctor appointment here before we make the big move next week. I did my glucose test and got all set for my records to be transferred as soon as I figure out who my doctor is in Vegas. I am so stressed about not knowing that yet, but that's the military for you, have to get a stupid referral from my primary care manager. So anyway..at the doctor I had to get my weight, which is NOT my favorite part. And seriously, I almost cried. I am huge! I know I am pregnant, but I am already so much bigger than I was with Mason and I know I have so much weight to lose after this baby. I'm scared it will never come off. I just can't wait to feel good about myself again. I am also still measure a little over a week ahead of time. Which means I am measuring in at 30 weeks as of right now..and I will be 29 on Wednesday. I am actually hoping it stays that way so I can deliver in enough time to get out of the hospital before xmas eve! &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I cannot believe Hayden is going to be here so soon! I am starting to freak out. But I think with the cross country move and preparing for holidays and having a baby its inevitable to feel overwhelmed. I am moving in with my mom and transferring Mason into a toddler bed in the process, I am really hoping it goes well. Mason's pediatrician actually told me it would be good to move him to a toddler bed before the baby comes. But I am so nervous! Especially for nap time. Hopefully he does good, considering we will be in the same room, I hope that helps. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;This end of this month is unbelievably busy! We leave next Tuesday (the 19th) for Vegas. It is a 26 hour drive! I know, we are crazy. I will be 30 weeks pregnant and we are traveling with a 18 month old..but, gotta do what we gotta do. It's probably going to be terrible! We are going to San Diego the 22nd and 23rd, and then coming back to Vegas. Brad has to come back here the 26th :( super sad about that. But we will make it through! Then the 29th-2nd Mason and I are flying up to Reno for Halloween! Which I am super excited for. And to make it better I got on the same flights as my brother in laws, so I don't have to try and manage Mason in the airport and on the plane while I am so huge and pregnant. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;But yeah..just wanted to share a little before I go to bed. So excited for sleep tonight! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-2474369547762672429?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/2474369547762672429/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=2474369547762672429' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2474369547762672429'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2474369547762672429'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/10/gigantic.html' title='Gigantic!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5060519009343734029</id><published>2010-10-04T10:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-10-04T10:19:27.501-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Oh boy.</title><content type='html'>Everyday I look at Mason and seriously wonder how he got so big so fast! He isn't looking like a baby anymore, but a little boy!  :( Time seriously flies by! And I feel like I haven't taken enough pictures! I need to do more of that! I also need to print pictures, which should be fun since I haven't done that in awhile! lol. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Two weeks from tomorrow we start our trip back to Vegas. I am so nervous about this long drive. I am honestly expecting the worst...because Mason literally HATES the car. Always has. Hopefully he proves me wrong. Packing starts tonight after my daycare kids leave. Not excited about that. lol. I would start while they are here..but, this little girl doesn't really let me get much done. Pain in the butt. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Nothing else really exciting has been happening lately. So I guess that is all for today! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5060519009343734029?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5060519009343734029/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5060519009343734029' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5060519009343734029'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5060519009343734029'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/10/oh-boy.html' title='Oh boy.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-6928792006835537135</id><published>2010-09-17T11:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-17T11:20:51.610-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Making the move..</title><content type='html'>It's official..we are moving Oct. 19th! Driving across country 30 weeks pregnant and with a toddler! Should be pretty interesting to say the least. lol. I am super excited to go home and be able to spend time with family..but at the same time completely bummed because Brad and I will be apart again! But we know it is for the best because we will be able to pay off some debts and save some money, which we have not been able to do here. '&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I will be living with my mom until at least 6 weeks after the baby comes. Kind of depends on what happens with Brad's orders though. So we are just waiting to see what happens for now. I am SUPER nervous about the drive. It is a total of 28 hours. HOLY COW, right! And the fact that Mason seriously HATES the car should make it oh so fun! I have already started planning. We are gonna buy him some new toys for the drive, so he will be a little more interested in them. And some new movies for his dvd player in the car, which is completely necessary! I am going to buy a little cooler to keep in the car so we can keep snacks and drinks in it, instead of having to stop more than we will already have to. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Another good thing about this move is that Brad will get to spend pretty much all of December with us in Vegas! And we won't be stuck here with no family! So that is definitely a plus! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Other than that, nothing new and exciting! I am working up until Oct. 15th, so that we can get as much money as possible..even though I would LOVE to quit before then. hahaha. All this stuff they require me to do is just ridiculous on top of the stuff I already have to do everyday. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Mason is 18 months old as of yesterday! I cannot believe it. He went to the doctor on Wednesday and is 32lbs. 10oz and 35 inches tall! HUGE! He has always been a big boy though :). He was so dramatic at the doctor it was kind of funny. He does this fake cry face with no sound or anything and it's a little ridiculous! lol. The doctor was cracking up. Everytime she went to touch him he would do that and then a fake cry. He is one dramatic little boy, and this all started recently..so funny! He is super shy now too! It takes him awhile to warm up to people but once he does he is one goofy little boy. Who likes to throw temper tantrums..boy am I not looking forward to terrible twos! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-6928792006835537135?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/6928792006835537135/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=6928792006835537135' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6928792006835537135'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6928792006835537135'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/09/making-move.html' title='Making the move..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-4268947871425115764</id><published>2010-09-08T07:16:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-09-08T07:31:16.435-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Oh Mason.</title><content type='html'>I am seriously so excited for next Wednesday. Mason's 18 month appointment. I need a doctors opinion on his sleeping issues. They definitely are not normal, and I need this fixed before the new baby comes. He woke up last night at 1230 and ended up in bed with us, and fell right to sleep. But then at 230am woke up whining, kicking and fidgeting non stop. He would fall asleep for a few minutes and then continue again. It is like he is super uncomfortable or something is hurting. I hate that I cant figure it out. It sucks! I am hoping the doctor will have some sort of answers for us. Or just suggestions. Although, we are seeing a different doctor cause his old doctor left. :( Which I am super sad about because his doctor was amazing! &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;In other news.. I cannot believe he is going to be 18 months next week! Time is FLYING by! And I am 24 weeks pregnant today! Only 16 weeks to go! That is nothing!! This baby will be here before we know it! Mason is getting so smart, he says 7 words and signs 5 words and we are working on more! He LOVES to read. And now points out pictures in books when you ask him where something is. He is super silly and is constantly making us laugh! Gotta love him. Even though he is a horrible sleeper! Hopefully this next baby is a much better sleeper! That would be amazing!! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;I may possibly be moving home sooner than later, and hopefully find out this week what exactly I am going to be doing. I hate not knowing! I just hope everything works out for us for once!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-4268947871425115764?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/4268947871425115764/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=4268947871425115764' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4268947871425115764'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4268947871425115764'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/09/oh-mason.html' title='Oh Mason.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1359125797441488667</id><published>2010-08-20T11:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-08-20T11:59:12.855-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Another boy!</title><content type='html'>I guess it is about time I update this thing! Honestly, my life isn't that exciting so there usually isn't much to write about. haha. I work 7am-5pm mon-fri and since that takes up most of my time there is rarely much to write.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Work is going okay. I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. Not exactly with the kids..it's really just all the paperwork and stupid rules I have to keep up with. That just makes it stressful. Especially because the office can drop by anytime so I always have to be on top of things..which gets a little annoying.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason has been pretty terrible lately. I am hoping it is just a stage. He is constantly whining. And is sleeping SO bad! He is into everything, much more than he was before and really likes to not listen. I think that is what is making working so much harder, because of the two little babies I hate feeling like I am not giving Mason enough attention. I am sure he is fine, but I hate it. I think I will probably stop working in October or November. We will see though. I feel bad for feeling so overwhelmed with it but I can't let myself be too stressed out. But other than that Mason is doing really good. He is 17 months old now! And is a huge goofball. Seriously, he cracks us up. He is talking a lot more now, most of it not making any sense. But he tries. haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We got a dog recently and Mason loves her! She is pretty good. And honestly, I am not the biggest fan of dogs but I like having her around. And my husband is extremely happy so I guess it's okay.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I had my 20 week ultrasound on Monday and we are having another boy!! We are pretty excited! His name will be Hayden Cole and everything looked great in his ultrasound, so I can be less worried now. Even though I still have my moments! haha. He is already 1 pound, and measuring about 5 days above his due date. So we will see how he continues to grow, although if he is anything like Mason I expect a big baby! I guess that is the good part of having a c section, it doesn't really matter! :) lol. I may be having this baby in Vegas too. We shall see! We are kind of waiting till October 1st to come up with our plan..we are waiting for some things to fall into place.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other than that..things have been pretty much the same around here. We are both ready to get out of here, that is for sure! I definitely want to leave before the snow hits again! I am not a fan of that snow! haha.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1359125797441488667?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1359125797441488667/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1359125797441488667' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1359125797441488667'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1359125797441488667'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/08/another-boy.html' title='Another boy!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1584567849819018422</id><published>2010-07-28T08:20:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-28T08:34:28.989-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Fun weekend.</title><content type='html'>f&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/TFBNfZ_bEzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Daq6rMbHxAk/s1600/019.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/TFBNfZ_bEzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Daq6rMbHxAk/s320/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498980346967561010" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/TFBNfKFtXTI/AAAAAAAAAFI/6EcNa4UujXc/s1600/061.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/TFBNfKFtXTI/AAAAAAAAAFI/6EcNa4UujXc/s320/061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498980342698958130" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Brad's Dad and Stepmom were in town this past weekend, and it was so nice having them here! We are both very homesick, so seeing family makes it better! I took Friday off since they got in Thursday night. Friday we just kind of hung out and went to lunch. Nothing too exciting that day. But it was nice to be able to hang out with them! On Saturday we went down to the Navy Pier. It was so hot outside! But it was fun, we walked around and Mason got to ride his first Carousel. He LOVED it. He would crack up when me and Brad would say "weeeee"" So funny! Then on Sunday we went to the Brookfield Zoo. Which was a blast! Mason LOVED it. Even though half the time he wanted to walk and push the stroller! haha. I think his favorite part was the fish. He loved them. But we are so glad they came and we got to spend time with family. It was so fun.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This week is going by so slow. Probably because last week I only worked 3 days. Which was wonderful. haha. So this week is dragging! I get the new baby on Monday. So this weekend I need to go out and get a new bouncer and activity gym. Which I am also just going to use for this new baby. And I can write it off :) lol.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am now 18 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty good. Although, this pregnancy is definitely harder than with Mason. The little pains are a little more often and I am still occasionally getting sick. I have to eat every couple hours otherwise I will for sure throw up. And I have been getting headaches. Which are no fun. But other than that I feel great! And am getting huge already! I can't even imagine what I will look like at the end. haha.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1584567849819018422?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1584567849819018422/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1584567849819018422' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1584567849819018422'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1584567849819018422'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/07/fun-weekend.html' title='Fun weekend.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/TFBNfZ_bEzI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/Daq6rMbHxAk/s72-c/019.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-6966884146001847902</id><published>2010-07-15T14:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-15T14:59:24.637-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Holy Tired.</title><content type='html'>Yes, my energy is back. But...Mason has been sleeping horrible lately! I don't know what the deal is. I have been trying to let him cry it out at night, but sometimes it just doesn't work. He just screams and screams. Which still keeps me awake. I don't know what is going on. But I really wish it would end soon. Especially before the new baby comes! I will definitely need that to happen. He has also been extremely grumpy and whiney. Which I am hoping is just a phase!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other Mason news, he has all these new dance moves which are HILARIOUS! The kid loves to dance! It's so fun. He isn't really saying much besides mama, dada (which are sometimes mom, dad, and daddy), ball and dog. I'm sure he will be talking my ear off before I know it. He has this new shy thing going on. We have been taking him to Gymboree on Saturday mornings. He really loves it. But is seriously so shy. He is still getting used to it though so hopefully he will come out of his shell!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Daycare is going good. I had one child's last day yesterday and I will get an 8 week old starting August 2nd. So I will have a 5 month old, Mason and an 8 week old. Should be interesting. lol. I think it will go good though. Hopefully...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Brad's dad and Stepmom are coming to visit next weekend! I am so excited, I am starting to get extremely homesick and it will be nice to have family here. We are still trying to come home in August and it is a pretty big positive we are...just don't know the dates yet, which is kind of frustrating! Oh well..we will know soon enough. Brad is graduating from A School on the 30th! And I am praying and praying that we get orders soon after that. I really want to move before this baby comes. It will be so much easier. And depending on how long his C school is, I may be coming back to Vegas. Only if it is a short school though.We will see. I am excited to see where we are going from here.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway..enough writing for today. I have a major headache! :(&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-6966884146001847902?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/6966884146001847902/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=6966884146001847902' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6966884146001847902'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6966884146001847902'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/07/holy-tired.html' title='Holy Tired.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-8096273411391255100</id><published>2010-07-02T13:25:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-07-02T21:04:06.632-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Update finally.</title><content type='html'>Things have been going pretty well. I am now 14 weeks pregnant and my morning sickness and exhaustion is gone! Thank goodness. I didn't know if I could take it much longer. Daycare is good. A little bit stressful because of all the work..but good. I have a 4 month old now, a 14 month old and Mason. I will be losing the 14 month old here in a couple weeks. I am really hoping that I get another kid to fill that spot asap. My next doctor appointment is the 19th. Not finding out the sex at that appointment though, they will just be doing bloodwork. I am thinking that they will do the next ultrasound when I am 20 weeks. Which should be before we come home in august! So exciting! We are thinking it will be towards the end of August. But we definitely need to come home for a visit.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason's circumcision was yesterday. And he is doing AMAZINGLY well. I thought he would be sore and fussy and just not doing good. But he is the complete opposite and has been since we got home from it yesterday. He is running around and playing like nothing even happened to him. It is the craziest thing ever. He doesn't even care when I change his diaper! I was so nervous while he was back there though and so grateful everything went so smoothly. Hopefully the rest of the healing goes this smooth. In other Mason news, he is 15 months and doing really good! He has been giving some temper tantrums lately. Which is not my favorite, and I think he is showing me a preview of terrible twos. He does this thing where when he wants things, he will just scream at it. The scream just gets me. It is more like a grunting scream, and oh so annoying. But I know he just gets frustrated cause he can't really communicate. But if I say ask nicely Mason, he will say please in sign language, so I guess that is good. Although, I cannot wait for the temper tantrums to leave! lol. Gotta love him!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are really hoping to be coming home in August. I am really homesick and a trip home would be amazing!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-8096273411391255100?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/8096273411391255100/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=8096273411391255100' title='3 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8096273411391255100'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8096273411391255100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/07/update-finally.html' title='Update finally.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>3</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5578720412026368916</id><published>2010-06-14T06:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-06-14T06:28:54.884-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Busy Busy</title><content type='html'>So daycare started about a month ago. And so far it is going pretty good! Although, it is a TON of work. We have a ton of paperwork that has to be turned in often and that is definitely not the fun part. haha. I have two 14 month olds plus Mason right now. Which is pretty crazy. One of them cries a lot, he likes to be held..but that is kind of impossible with two other one year olds to take care of. And the other one bites, pinches and pulls hair. She is actually leaving Wednesday to go to the center. Which is probably good because I don't think poor Mason can take anymore abuse from this little girl. She has her sweet sides to though, so of course I will miss her. But to replace her, I am getting a 4 month old on Tuesday. Another little boy, so I will have all boys! Crazy! But it will be good for Mason to get used to having a baby around all the time! And he is a little cutie! It is definitely keeping me busy and making my days go by super fast, which is nice. We are trying to work on sharing right now with Mason. I mean, he is 1 so he really doesn't quite get the concept. And these kids are playing with most of his toys, so I am sure he is like what the heck! lol. But he is starting to get better.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other news, I have another appointment on Monday, and I will be 12 weeks Wednesday! Woo hoo for the 2nd trimester! I am REALLY hoping my energy comes back. I am in serious need of it! We are taking Mason to the zoo on Sunday (Fathers Day) and I am super excited! I think he will love it! And so will I, of course! haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am pretty sure we are coming home for a visit at the end of August! Which I am realllyyyy excited for! Especially because we are definitely not coming home for Christmas now, considering my due date.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5578720412026368916?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5578720412026368916/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5578720412026368916' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5578720412026368916'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5578720412026368916'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/06/busy-busy.html' title='Busy Busy'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-2935717184992985028</id><published>2010-05-24T10:50:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-24T10:59:56.233-07:00</updated><title type='text'>New baby!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S_q-j0eEGKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/TXwX-5xEOLo/s1600/baby2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S_q-j0eEGKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/TXwX-5xEOLo/s320/baby2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474897819611699362" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So I went for my ultrasound today, and I am 8 weeks and 5 days and due December 29th! It made it so much more real! Love seeing the baby! And I seriously waited until today to update my blog, just because I am lazy. haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We are pretty excited! Although much earlier than we planned, it is still so exciting!! Other than new baby news..nothing too exciting is going on! I did start home daycare, it is going pretty good so far, although I am exhausted all the time. So that makes it difficult, because my motivation is just not there! Its bad..I know. But I am trying, today I am not working cause I had my doctors appointment, so once Mason falls asleep, which is not looking good at the moment, I will try and take a nap! I probably should mop my floors, but I think I will put that off until tonight! haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason is getting so big and so smart! Although, his little attitude has been a little rough lately. He was so bad at the doctor today! He just throws a fit if he doesn't get what he wants! URGH! I guess it's probably the age though, and I'm sure it is normal. And I better get used to it! He is so jealous anytime I pick up the little girl that is in my daycare right now. Cries and cries! But Im sure it will get better. He LOVES to read, I seriously have no idea how many times a day I read the majority of his books. He brings me one, we finish it, and he brings me another one! All day long! lol. But It's good he loves to read! Anyway..there is my update!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-2935717184992985028?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/2935717184992985028/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=2935717184992985028' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2935717184992985028'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2935717184992985028'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-baby.html' title='New baby!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S_q-j0eEGKI/AAAAAAAAAFA/TXwX-5xEOLo/s72-c/baby2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5213884432462266613</id><published>2010-05-03T11:28:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-03T11:34:09.925-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Yay for certificates!</title><content type='html'>My certificate came in today! So this morning I went and signed the rest of my paperwork, and came home with a big bag full of more stuff! This is going to be so much work, but I am pretty sure I am ready for it. I think the biggest for me is keeping up with all the paperwork they need me to turn in and do. Im sure once I get going it will be much easier. But I am pretty excited!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Right now I am waiting for my floors to dry so I can finish my cleaning and get all my paperwork organized and set up. I am hoping I get interviews this week, supposedly I already have one lined up, just waiting for the call.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I scheduled Mason's circumcision this morning, it won't be until July 1st. But I am already nervous! ahh. lol. Im sure everything will be okay, I just hate the fact that he has to be put under. He has been doing such funny things lately..and catching onto everything! He is signing thank you now too, which is exciting! He has this new dance thing he does. HILARIOUS! And is definitely getting even more attached to me. This morning when I dropped him off while I signed my papers, he started crying...and when I came back, she said he had been crying the whole time :( and even threw up from crying so much! Attached much? haha.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5213884432462266613?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5213884432462266613/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5213884432462266613' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5213884432462266613'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5213884432462266613'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/05/yay-for-certificates.html' title='Yay for certificates!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1018502056721749970</id><published>2010-04-22T08:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-04-22T08:25:55.007-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I cannot even begin to explain...</title><content type='html'>How excited I am to start work. I really hope that I get some calls soon for some kids! Not just for the fact that it will keep me busy during the week. But for the fact that we will not be so stressed about money. We are starting to get things together, and actually had to consolidate our debt..which in the long run will be better considering all of our debt will be in one place and we can get all our stupid decisions paid off. We both made a lot of stupid choices when we were younger and now have the debt to show for it. But the good thing is, since our first consolidation payment is tomorrow, once brad is done with school we are using his sign on bonus to pay for the rest and it will be gone! Besides my medical debt which we are paying monthly for. Gotta love 14,000 for having a baby. And if you are wondering why..because when I got pregnant I was supposed to be getting new insurance through my job..well, then I was pregnant and considered pre-existing. So yup, I had to use a discount plan, which ended up screwing me in the end anyway. So lovely. But now that I will start work hopefully in the next two weeks, everything will be so much easier! I cannot wait for all of that to be lifted off of our shoulders.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other news I am driving to Milwaukee on Monday to take Mason to the urologist. Another lovely insurance story. When Mason was born since I did not have insurance we were going to just pay for a policy just for him. Well when I called all these insurance companies, I was told that since it was an individual plan for him he needed to be 31 days old and have a clean bill of health (bullcrap, right?) which means, if something would have been wrong with him..we would have been screwed. How they live with themselves, I have no idea. So mason's doctor didn't circumcise in the hospital. So when we took him in 2 days after leaving the hospital for jaundice they had asked if I just wanted to wait until insurance kicked in...never telling me that there was a time limit for when a baby can be circumcised by the doctor. So when I took him in for his 2 month appointment, they told me ohh it is too late now to do it here. WTF! Which, if I would have known that I would have just figured out a way to pay up front for it. So I was told he would need to see a urologist and be sedated for the procedure! Sad, right! But after weighing out all the options, I still want it done. Especially, because my husband is and I really don't want Mason to have to ask questions when he is older and after doing some research I feel like it is the cleaner option. Sooo..on Monday we are going to the urologist in Milwaukee to get it all figured out. I am super nervous because he knows where his "thing" is now and if he tries to touch it after the surgery! AHHHH! But anyway, I feel bad but I know it is the right decision! Hopefully Monday goes well!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ohh and Mason signed "please" today! Yayyy! So excited. So he now signs please, all done, and more! My smart boy! :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1018502056721749970?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1018502056721749970/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1018502056721749970' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1018502056721749970'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1018502056721749970'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-cannot-even-begin-to-explain.html' title='I cannot even begin to explain...'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1817479081270621526</id><published>2010-04-20T11:49:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-04-20T11:59:58.783-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Final Inspection...DONE!</title><content type='html'>This morning was my final inspection! And everyone came at once, which I wasn't really expecting. So there were 6 people going through my house making sure everything was good to go. And...I on passed! I am so excited to be done with that part. Even though I will still have an inspection every month, now I know what to expect. Even though the monthly ones wont involve 6 people.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Over the past weekend Brad's mom and &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;stepdad&lt;/span&gt; came into town. It was so nice to have family here! His &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;stepdad&lt;/span&gt; is an amazing cook and took over my &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;kitched&lt;/span&gt; for the week. It was amazing! On &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;saturday&lt;/span&gt; we went to the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;Shedd&lt;/span&gt; Aquarium, it was super busy, but still way fun. Mason loved it. He kept trying to grab the fish through the glass. &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;haha&lt;/span&gt;. And they had this little kid area where they could touch the starfish and had little water play areas, that was definitely his favorite part! We had so much fun while they were here and hopefully we get to see them again soon! That is the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"&gt;sucky&lt;/span&gt; part about living so far away from everyone. It is so hard to not see family! But so far we have made a couple good friends here. Of course the one girl I have gotten the closest with is moving away in 1-3 months..&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"&gt;dont&lt;/span&gt; really know the exact time yet. And as we speak she is in labor! Cassie will hopefully be here today!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;And in Mason news. He is getting so big! Walking everywhere now! He is a crazy little boy, and getting sillier everyday. He really likes to be outside, so we do a lot of walking around outside. He gets &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"&gt;sooooo&lt;/span&gt; mad when we come back inside. &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"&gt;haha&lt;/span&gt;. He has realized he can get a little attitude these days. So that has been TONS of fun. &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"&gt;lol&lt;/span&gt;. Little &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"&gt;terd&lt;/span&gt;. He says "more" and "ball" now. And signs more, all done and this morning did please! So exciting. He also loves to dance! It is so funny, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"&gt;everytime&lt;/span&gt; music comes on he starts dancing. Even in the car. Silly boy. He is getting big so fast! Its so amazing. Love my little man!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1817479081270621526?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1817479081270621526/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1817479081270621526' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1817479081270621526'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1817479081270621526'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/04/final-inspectiondone.html' title='Final Inspection...DONE!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-543658032205691161</id><published>2010-04-09T07:48:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-04-09T08:00:27.721-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Pre-Inspection</title><content type='html'>I had my pre-inspection on Tuesday and it went GREAT! The only things I have to fix are a few things on my parent board, so I am pretty excited about that! Today I need to do those things and put a few more safety latches on..which are a complete pain in the butt! Oh well though. She said if I keep my house this clean all the time then I should be good at every inspection! So good thing I am a clean freak :). lol. My final inspection is on the 20th. I cannot wait until its over with and I can get started! Even though I am a little stressed out about it, but I think once I get going everything will be good. I am doing infants only. So I will only have 6 week-24 months in ages. But I can only have 2 plus Mason. Which since we have a smaller place right now, will be fine. And will help me get the hang of things. And then once we move this next time I plan on taking more kids. I know it is going to be a lot of work, but the money will be nice and I am pretty sure I can do it. Hopefully. lol.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other news..my in laws (Brad's mom and stepdad) will be here Tuesday night. I am pretty excited! It will be nice to have family here to visit us. They are staying till Sunday morning. And my father in law is an amazing cook and is taking over my kitchen while he is here..which will be a nice break for me :) Can't wait! haha. I think we may try to go to the zoo or Shedd Aquarium while they are here. Which I have been really wanting to take Mason, so I am pretty excited about that!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-543658032205691161?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/543658032205691161/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=543658032205691161' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/543658032205691161'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/543658032205691161'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/04/pre-inspection.html' title='Pre-Inspection'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1152155638600456108</id><published>2010-04-03T05:40:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-04-03T05:52:37.856-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I really suck at keeping up with this...</title><content type='html'>Life is pretty much the same here. haha. Nothing too exciting goes on in our parts! Mason had has first birthday a few weeks ago and I can honestly not believe my baby is ONE! How!? The time flew by way too fast, and I am finding myself missing being pregnant. Ahhh. Not yet. lol. Mason is doing all kinds of stuff now! He is walking, saying "more" and "ball" (he also signs more and all done) More and Ball sound more like mo and baaa right now..but he will get it! lol. He is so funny these days, his little personality is just amazing. He does this funny fake laugh ALL THE TIME! He is one funny little guy and makes me laugh every day! Love my little man.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;As for Brad. He started A school on Monday. He is so stressed about it. I guess it is really hard and they are on your butt on the time. So he has been studying and working his butt off to stay at the top of his class. Even though I know he will do amazing! So since he started A school early we will be moving sooner than expected. Still probably another 7-8 months..maybe more. Just depends when they give us orders. Hopefully we don't have to wait forever for them. His school schedule is kind of nice, he doesn't have to be on base until 9am..school starts at 10. And he gets done at 6pm. So the only time that sucks is Friday's when they get early liberty but he isn't out of school yet. But I really do like having him home in the mornings with me. And he gets to see Mason before he leaves and when he gets home :). He still has duty two days a week. So last night he had it..and I hate duty nights cause I cannot fall asleep when he isn't here. I always stay up so late!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;In other news I have my pre-inspection for my home daycare on Tuesday! I am so extremely stressed about it. We are going this morning as soon as Brad gets home to get the final things I need, I have spent the last couple days trying to get everything ready. And Monday will be my crazy cleaning day. Hopefully I do good at my pre-inspection and then the following week should be my final! Then hopefully I can get some kids in! We need the moola! I am super excited for this daycare, yet super nervous! It is going to be a lot of work, but I know I will really enjoy still staying home with Mason. Even though I will have random inspections, oh well. And my house looks like a daycare. lol. I cannot wait to move into a bigger place. But anyways..Brad just got home..time to go shopping :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1152155638600456108?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1152155638600456108/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1152155638600456108' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1152155638600456108'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1152155638600456108'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-really-suck-at-keeping-up-with-this.html' title='I really suck at keeping up with this...'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-4816453871105948697</id><published>2010-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-01-26T14:50:22.106-08:00</updated><title type='text'>It's been awhile!</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xMrpakQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/JDS-67AcMCQ/s1600-h/025.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xMrpakQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/JDS-67AcMCQ/s320/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431184138320908546" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Look at all my teeth! (8 of them)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xMZthO7I/AAAAAAAAAEE/1jUqq7_hmRc/s1600-h/standing.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 289px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xMZthO7I/AAAAAAAAAEE/1jUqq7_hmRc/s320/standing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431184133506284466" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;I love to walk :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xL8PHFTI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Qui-yNVmzr4/s1600-h/19680_264832108799_744768799_3442241_7642245_n.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xL8PHFTI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Qui-yNVmzr4/s320/19680_264832108799_744768799_3442241_7642245_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431184125594113330" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Being silly!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;So I decided I should probably update this thing. I have seriously been meaning to. But everytime I come on..I always think of something else I need to do. Of course!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason and I are finally in Chicago and so happy to be here. Although, all of our stuff still isn't here..so that is somewhat of  a bummer! But soon enough. The weather here is ridiculously cold..especially the last couple days. The wind just kills you! But I actually really like it here! And Mason finally has a home again. Which makes me happy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am already missing family like crazy though. But I am hoping things work out and I can make it back for Mason's birthday in March and he can have a birthday party there! That would be so amazing!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Updates on Mason: He is getting sooo big! 10 months old already! Time is just flying by! He still doesn't crawl. But opts for scooting on his butt EVERYWHERE. It is actually pretty funny. I think he may actually skip crawling and go straight for walking. He loves for you to hold his hands and walk around with him.  He claps all the time now and waves too! His little personality is so amazing. And he still loves giving kisses! He is finally starting to sleep a little better. Although it is still not through the night..I am happy with what I get! :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-4816453871105948697?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/4816453871105948697/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=4816453871105948697' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4816453871105948697'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4816453871105948697'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-been-awhile.html' title='It&apos;s been awhile!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/S19xMrpakQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/JDS-67AcMCQ/s72-c/025.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-8686216888860574160</id><published>2009-12-13T17:32:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-13T18:00:39.442-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Almost time to go back home..</title><content type='html'>We leave Wednesday early morning to head back to Vegas. I have to say, I am pretty excited! I cannot wait to see all of mine and Brad's family! It will be such a good time. Brad gets to Vegas on Friday. I am so excited to see him it's not even funny. We will be there trying to split up time between family and friends, but it will be a great time! Brad is leaving I believe the 31st, because he and his brother are driving our car back to Chicago! Crazy, I know. But we need the car and that is one thing the navy doesn't move for you. Boo hoo! So we are stuck driving it there. I leave January 9th for Chicago. Our house will be ready the 5th. Who knows when the heck our stuff will get there! Hopefully soon after I do! I cannot wait to get there and get settled in our house! I am sooooo ready to have my stuff again. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;As for Mason he will be 9 months on Wednesday, which is so crazy to me! It is going by so fast! He waves now, says "Mama, Dada, and Baba" and while babbling of course. He is finally starting to show signs of crawling. haha. He scoots on his butt and tries to get on his knees while on his belly, although he puts his head down so it doesn't work out too well. Silly guy. His little personality is soooooo cute. I just love him and am really excited for everyone to see him. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-8686216888860574160?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/8686216888860574160/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=8686216888860574160' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8686216888860574160'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8686216888860574160'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/12/almost-time-to-go-back-home.html' title='Almost time to go back home..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-8978536675732532251</id><published>2009-12-02T11:16:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-02T11:24:53.420-08:00</updated><title type='text'>New happenings.</title><content type='html'>Nothing really exciting has been going on. We have just been trying to get everything prepared for our move. Which has been so stressful. Mason and I are still in North Carolina, we leave here Dec. 16th for Vegas and will be there for Christmas until probably Jan. 10th. After that we can FINALLY move with Brad. Which I am soo excited for! Our housing is all set up, it just won't be ready until Jan 5th..so we are waiting to move there after that. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;As for Mason..I cannot believe he is 8 1/2 months! It is so crazy how fast time has gone! He still doesn't crawl. haha. But he started waving! And he can drink out of a straw! haha! I tried to give him more solid foods for Thanksgiving but him and his horrible gag reflex were not having it! I have to ask the doctor about that one cause it is pretty bad! Poor guy :(.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Other than that..nothing exciting is going on. I'm sure I will have more to write next time! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-8978536675732532251?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/8978536675732532251/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=8978536675732532251' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8978536675732532251'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/8978536675732532251'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-happenings.html' title='New happenings.'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-3290018598066019696</id><published>2009-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-11-06T12:47:04.095-08:00</updated><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFbGd_asI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tC0roxUAXWA/s1600-h/DSC00381.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFbGd_asI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tC0roxUAXWA/s320/DSC00381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401088553763433154" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;He loves his Daddy&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFa04ylZI/AAAAAAAAADs/Uiqapb5OURU/s1600-h/DSC00375.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFa04ylZI/AAAAAAAAADs/Uiqapb5OURU/s320/DSC00375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401088549044000146" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"&gt;    &lt;/span&gt;Family &lt;3&lt;span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"&gt;   &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFaW1pwuI/AAAAAAAAADk/JXbuWU8RpBI/s1600-h/DSC00359.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFaW1pwuI/AAAAAAAAADk/JXbuWU8RpBI/s320/DSC00359.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401088540977775330" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Navy graduation.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFaHQLZqI/AAAAAAAAADc/p4fRfp_9VTM/s1600-h/DSC00368.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFaHQLZqI/AAAAAAAAADc/p4fRfp_9VTM/s320/DSC00368.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401088536794064546" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;Bundled up in Chicago&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;The last couple weeks have been pretty eventful. We went to Chicago from Brad's graduation. His graduation was so amazing. I am so proud of him, he did so well. It was so cool to watch all those guys so proud of their accomplishments. He got liberty (free time) from 7am-730pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. It kind of sucked that he didn't get to spend the night, but at least we got time together. Mason was so happy to see his Daddy. We had a lot of fun. Saturday we went into the city, and it was &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;sooo&lt;/span&gt; windy, so it was freezing. And driving down there was a little bit scary. &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;haha&lt;/span&gt;. I was super bummed on Sunday when we had to drop him off cause as of right now I do not know when I will get to move there with him. Which is no fun. I hate it. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;We left Chicago Monday morning and I flew straight to North Carolina to stay with Karen. Which is where I am now. I will be here until I make the move to Chicago. It is nice having my best friend. I will be here for Thanksgiving. Which I am super excited for. We are already talking about making tons of green bean casserole! Which I love! Brad is able to come out here for Thanksgiving, but it is &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;sooo&lt;/span&gt; expensive to fly him out, so he is just gonna save his days for Christmas. Which is totally fine. That way we get more time in Vegas. We are going to be there the 18&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;th&lt;/span&gt; through either the 31st or 2&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;nd&lt;/span&gt;. Still trying to figure that out. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Mason is doing really good, even with all the moving around. He loves being here with &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;Ayden&lt;/span&gt; and Emma. He especially loves Emma. He stares and smiles at her all the time. Silly guy. He still &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"&gt;isnt&lt;/span&gt; moving around much. Lazy butt. But he will in his own time. And is still waking up in the night. I am used to that now though. &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Speaking of Mason, he should be waking up from his nap soon, so I will write later :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-3290018598066019696?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/3290018598066019696/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=3290018598066019696' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/3290018598066019696'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/3290018598066019696'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/11/he-loves-his-daddy-family-3-navy.html' title=''/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SvSFbGd_asI/AAAAAAAAAD0/tC0roxUAXWA/s72-c/DSC00381.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-4026288433536039419</id><published>2009-10-23T19:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-23T19:33:41.516-07:00</updated><title type='text'>So excited!</title><content type='html'>My in laws left on Wednesday and when be gone until Monday. So the last couple days have been pretty lonely. But I just keep looking forward to the fact that next week at this time I will be with my amazing husband. The thing that sucks is he cant stay the night with us :( But that is okay we are going to make the best of the time we do have together! :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I was watching some Navy bootcamp graduation videos to get an idea of how they were, and I was crying on those! Can you imagine me on the day of his graduation. I am gonna be a mess! I ordered Mason a shirt that says My Daddy My Hero and it has this rubber duck with a navy outfit on! I think it will be cute and Brad will love it!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;After Chicago I am going to North Carolina to stay with Karen for about a month before I move to Chicago with Brad. I am so excited to stay with Karen. I love being here with my mother and father in law but I am getting super lonely. So it will be nice to have my best friend.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well..I think thats all for today folks! Mason is sleeping which means I get "me" time. The best time :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-4026288433536039419?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/4026288433536039419/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=4026288433536039419' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4026288433536039419'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4026288433536039419'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/10/so-excited.html' title='So excited!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-1606573492145582706</id><published>2009-10-19T12:07:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-19T12:20:25.520-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Countdown..</title><content type='html'>&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7oIzvVaI/AAAAAAAAADU/kmprpuW2EZY/s1600-h/037_edited-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7oIzvVaI/AAAAAAAAADU/kmprpuW2EZY/s320/037_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394392751916668322" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Being a big boy and drinking out of a sippy cup!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7R6jxx8I/AAAAAAAAADE/hL2KTymYy-0/s1600-h/031_edited-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7R6jxx8I/AAAAAAAAADE/hL2KTymYy-0/s320/031_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394392370134501314" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Isn't this costume too cute!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7ReqZnYI/AAAAAAAAAC8/xFdkKEerPUU/s1600-h/018_edited-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7ReqZnYI/AAAAAAAAAC8/xFdkKEerPUU/s320/018_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394392362646084994" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;My little penguin :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7Q6zrgfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/xeQvBYmAMM4/s1600-h/015_edited-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7Q6zrgfI/AAAAAAAAAC0/xeQvBYmAMM4/s320/015_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394392353021329906" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;Playing with his toys!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7QTaeZzI/AAAAAAAAACs/L4mrwuE_LeI/s1600-h/001.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7QTaeZzI/AAAAAAAAACs/L4mrwuE_LeI/s320/001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394392342446630706" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;About to try avocado! He wasn't too sure about it.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Only 11 more days until we go see Brad!! I am on a serious countdown! I cannot wait to see him, although it will be a little strange seeing him in uniform. :) We leave the 29th, but his graduation is the 30th. And then we leave Monday the 2nd. I wish that I could just stay from then on. But still not exactly sure the day we are moving out there. Although, I think Kelly (mother in law) is gonna drive our car down to Vegas, get a uhaul, load up our stuff and drive it to Chicago for us, while towing our car. I just want our stuff out there! I am definitely not loving living temporarily. But oh well. Mason is now saying "mama". Cutest thing ever. And he definitely knows what it means. Silly guy :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This weekend, I dyed my hair a darker color! It is so different, and I am definitely going to have to get used to it. But I like it. Let's see what else is new...honestly, nothing that I can think of. Reno is amazing, I wouldn't mind living here after Brad gets out. It is super nice and I love that it actually has four seasons. haha. I just love it here. Although, it is rainy and windy today.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So Mason is now 7 months! I feel like the time is flying. Before I know it I am going to be planning his 1st birthday party! Crazy! And Christmas is just around the corner! AHHH. I need to get on Christmas shopping. But then it is kind of like I need to wait until we get to Chicago. Who knows, all this moving stuff is seriously stressing me out. Just because I don't know when and how we are doing it all. Blah.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-1606573492145582706?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/1606573492145582706/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=1606573492145582706' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1606573492145582706'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/1606573492145582706'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/10/countdown.html' title='Countdown..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sty7oIzvVaI/AAAAAAAAADU/kmprpuW2EZY/s72-c/037_edited-2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-6165642347094529827</id><published>2009-10-13T12:43:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-13T12:51:58.354-07:00</updated><title type='text'>PJ's</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/StTYwDQFL5I/AAAAAAAAACk/lLlwtYKic_k/s1600-h/030.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/StTYwDQFL5I/AAAAAAAAACk/lLlwtYKic_k/s320/030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392172973887401874" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Aren't those just the cutest pajamas ever! haha. So nothing really new up here in Reno. Just 17 more days until I get to see Brad. I am so excited. I honestly did not think it would be this hard to be without him. But I guess I better get used to it, huh! But at least when he goes on boat leaves I will be able to talk to him more than I get to now. I think that is the worst part. Not being able to talk to him. He is the one I vent to about most things, and I can't even do that. It kind of sucks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;But anyway, Mason has been sleeping a little better. The falling asleep at night has gotten great! He goes to sleep by himself with crying for maybe a minute! It is amazing! Now I just have to work on those night wakings. I think I might just have to let him cry it out in the middle of the night. It will suck, but I know he is capable of sleeping through the night, considering the night before last he slept in his own bed until 7am! So it is possible. haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am gonna try and get a night out this week or weekend. I am in desperate need of it. It should be nice! And I am gonna try and get my hair done this week too! YESS! It needs it too! Very bad! I love having short hair but then again I have to get it done more often. Now for the big question. Should I keep it blonde...or dye it a brown color with blonde highlights? It is becoming fall?? I can't decide what to do! I am scared if I dye it brown it will look stupid! And we don't want that. haha. Anyway...Mason is napping, so I am gonna get some things done before he wakes up :) It is my only time..considering he likes me to be around him constantly. Little stinker.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-6165642347094529827?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/6165642347094529827/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=6165642347094529827' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6165642347094529827'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/6165642347094529827'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/10/pjs.html' title='PJ&apos;s'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/StTYwDQFL5I/AAAAAAAAACk/lLlwtYKic_k/s72-c/030.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5444261518122469221</id><published>2009-10-07T12:01:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-10-07T12:12:57.560-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I am the worst at updating this!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sszn_DzK75I/AAAAAAAAACc/sIuabhtOfg8/s1600-h/Reno+035.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sszn_DzK75I/AAAAAAAAACc/sIuabhtOfg8/s320/Reno+035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389937924593348498" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Well as I sit here Mason is crying it out for a nap. He has been sleeping so horribly. And this seems to be the only thing that is going to work. It is soooo hard for me to do. But the  kid needs to sleep. haha. Anyway, Mason is now sitting up on his own and eating a whole bunch of baby foods! Big boy! I still cannot believe he is gonna be 7 months in 9 days! This year is just flying by! We are having a wonderful time up in Reno. I love it. The weather is so much nicer, even though it is getting pretty chilly. And I had to go buy winter clothes, considering I had a few long sleeve t-shirts. Mason is in 12 month clothes already! How that happened, I have no idea! He is growing so fast. It is crazy. He doesn't miss a meal :) My in laws are going out of town this weekend, so I will be in this big house all by myself (well with mason of course). But at least I have my friend Kelli to hang out with!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Brad seems to be doing really well. He is really enjoying the Navy, just not the being away from us part! Poor guy! But he has made 3 good friends that he says will be his friends forever. I am so happy he found friends to help him through this process. His graduation is October 3oth. I am getting really excited for it! Only 23 more days and I get to see him! We are staying the whole weekend. He gets "liberty" (free time) 10 hours a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So we are hoping to get some fun things packed in those 3 days! Although Chicago will be freezing! I need to buy some Uggs! haha.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On another note. I swear I have the worst luck. I went to the DMV today to renew my registration. And my name change was not supposed to include Smith. They told me that you can no longer use your maiden name as your middle name. You can only hyphenate it. Then issues with my registration and title. I was about to give up. I am hoping I can get this all taken care of without the $250 FINE! Hopefully! Oh jeez. Life.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5444261518122469221?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5444261518122469221/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5444261518122469221' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5444261518122469221'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5444261518122469221'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/10/i-am-worst-at-updating-this.html' title='I am the worst at updating this!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sszn_DzK75I/AAAAAAAAACc/sIuabhtOfg8/s72-c/Reno+035.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-4031582881030807734</id><published>2009-09-14T21:51:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-14T21:58:42.845-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Reno</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sq8ejR4wibI/AAAAAAAAACU/_TCTqnK7I10/s1600-h/10319_132380968799_744768799_2613217_7174042_n.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sq8ejR4wibI/AAAAAAAAACU/_TCTqnK7I10/s320/10319_132380968799_744768799_2613217_7174042_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381553671176751538" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So we made it to Reno safely! Mason has been having a rough time sleeping and he has allergies! Poor guy :( But other than that, everything is going well. The weather is sooo nice up here. Love it! And my friend Kelli and her 1 month old daughter Rylie live here, so we have been hanging out with them pretty often. Which has been tons of fun! Mason is eating solids 2x a day! YAY! And loving them. We are getting his 6 month pictures done this weekend! So excited for that! I got him the cutest jeans, a brown thermal type shirt and some shoes! He will look so cute! He sure is getting spoiled up here! And I am sure he is loving it. Although, we miss everyone at home like crazy! :)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We haven't heard much from Brad :( Which sucks! I have been writing him a lot since I got his address on Wednesday! I can't wait to hear something back! I miss him a lot and I know Mason does too! Every time Mason sees his picture he just gets so excited! It is the cutest thing ever!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-4031582881030807734?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/4031582881030807734/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=4031582881030807734' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4031582881030807734'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4031582881030807734'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/09/reno.html' title='Reno'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/Sq8ejR4wibI/AAAAAAAAACU/_TCTqnK7I10/s72-c/10319_132380968799_744768799_2613217_7174042_n.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-2371448014446767582</id><published>2009-09-01T21:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-09-01T21:34:57.602-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Brad leaving..</title><content type='html'>Brad left this morning for Navy bootcamp. It was definitely harder than I thought it would be. But  I know this is the best thing for our family! I just have to stay strong! I will keep you all updated on how he is doing in bootcamp! I am going to write him often! :) Also, it looks like we will be apart for an extra month, the move will just be easier that way, because he will be getting a 3 week break in the end of December so Mason and I will move out then. &lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;As for Mason, he is doing amazing! 5 1/2 months already! He starting eating solids last week. Starting with carrots, tomorrow we will try sweet potatoes! He likes the carrots, so it is going well so far. And he is actually starting to roll over more. No more laziness haha. He can sit up for a minute or two on his own, but then ends up toppling over! He will get it! &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Other than that, nothing new is going on that I can think of. So I will do some more updating later, and add some pictures! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-2371448014446767582?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/2371448014446767582/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=2371448014446767582' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2371448014446767582'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/2371448014446767582'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/09/brad-leaving.html' title='Brad leaving..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-5690730041157558078</id><published>2009-08-16T22:54:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-16T22:58:45.157-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I guess I should start updating more..</title><content type='html'>So since we are getting ready for the big move, I figure I should start updating more. Since no one will really get to see us :(!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Things have been absolutely wonderful. Besides the stresses of moving of course. Brad is starting to get really nervous and so am I. Hopefully the two months of not seeing each other goes by fast! Mason is 5 months today! Which is totally crazy! I feel like I just had him. He can sit up for a few minutes by himself and rolls over both ways (when he feels like it..He can be a little lazy &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;haha&lt;/span&gt;) and is babbling up a storm. And has started this new high pitch scream thing which is actually hilarious! Sleeping has been horrible at night lately, as I am positive he is teething. I just wish they would pop through already so we wouldn't have a fussy baby who does not want to sleep at night!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, Brad leaves Sept 1st and I will be leaving the 7&lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;th&lt;/span&gt;. So I will be sure to keep everyone updated :) on our lives! :)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-5690730041157558078?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/5690730041157558078/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=5690730041157558078' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5690730041157558078'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/5690730041157558078'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-guess-i-should-start-updating-more.html' title='I guess I should start updating more..'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-274755567438201714</id><published>2009-04-26T17:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-26T17:47:11.877-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Mason Bradley Wintch</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SfT_MZxW-oI/AAAAAAAAABk/gSVFhyk3w0U/s1600-h/IMG_0831_edited-1.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SfT_MZxW-oI/AAAAAAAAABk/gSVFhyk3w0U/s320/IMG_0831_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164847627565698" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Finally updating! Mason was born! YAY!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Mason Bradley Wintch&lt;br /&gt;March 16, 2009&lt;br /&gt;8lbs. 9oz.&lt;br /&gt;19 1/4"&lt;br /&gt;5:50pm&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We went to the hospital on March 16th at 3:00 am for my scheduled induction. I got checked in, and then they hooked me up to the iv's and got me started on pitosin.  So then my mom, Brad's mom, Brad and Karen were all hanging out with me...until Brad and Karen had to take a little nap on the little cot. It was pretty funny. I was dilated to a 3 when I got to the hospital..and i moved to a 4 around 8:30 am and that is when my contractions started picking up. I then got my epideral..while Brad and Karen were alseep. haha. After that..I thought it was going to be a peice of cake..although I only dilated to a 5..and stayed there for pretty much the rest of the day. We tried everything to get my labor progressing more..but nothing was working. Finally around 5pm the doctor decided she wanted to do a c section. I was a little upset, but was also ready to be done with labor..as my contractions were starting to hurt again. So we did the c section and little Mason was here at 5:50 pm. It was an amazing experience and I could not believe how adorable he is. It is crazy how much you can love one little person.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;He is now 6 weeks old (tomorrow) and really is a good baby. He has his moments of course :] haha. But he is good. And LOVES to eat. Cannot blame the kid! But other than that we are doing really good!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-274755567438201714?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/274755567438201714/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=274755567438201714' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/274755567438201714'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/274755567438201714'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/04/mason-bradley-wintch.html' title='Mason Bradley Wintch'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SfT_MZxW-oI/AAAAAAAAABk/gSVFhyk3w0U/s72-c/IMG_0831_edited-1.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-4462930780624750368</id><published>2009-02-25T01:05:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-25T01:14:20.207-08:00</updated><title type='text'>Finally updating</title><content type='html'>It has been forever since I updated this thing. So I decided just to get it done, and I promise to keep it updated this time. First off Brad and I got married on November 8, 2008. The wedding was wonderful and perfect. Especially planned in such a short amount of time! I couldn't have done it without my wonderful&lt;br /&gt;family!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SaUKmoYVp1I/AAAAAAAAABA/4ZYBeyxkY50/s1600-h/DSC_0086-2.jpg"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SaUKmoYVp1I/AAAAAAAAABA/4ZYBeyxkY50/s320/DSC_0086-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306659394716804946" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;I only have 3 1/2 weeks left until Mason arrives! And I could not be more excited! His room is all done thanks to my wonderful friends and family! My aunt nicole threw me a baby shower and it turned out amazing, and I seriously got everything I needed. It was amazing! Mason is going to be one spoiled little boy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Other than that everything else is going wonderful. Just awaiting the arrival of baby Mason! Which hopefully comes soon! haha.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-4462930780624750368?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/4462930780624750368/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=4462930780624750368' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4462930780624750368'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/4462930780624750368'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2009/02/finally-updating.html' title='Finally updating'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SaUKmoYVp1I/AAAAAAAAABA/4ZYBeyxkY50/s72-c/DSC_0086-2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-7180942619047255486</id><published>2008-09-18T18:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-18T20:09:51.251-07:00</updated><title type='text'>The Baby!!</title><content type='html'>&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SNL-dQdq0MI/AAAAAAAAAAo/i34jYylWovw/s1600-h/scan001%5B1%5D.bmp"&gt;&lt;img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247536294429118658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SNL-dQdq0MI/AAAAAAAAAAo/i34jYylWovw/s320/scan001%5B1%5D.bmp" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; I had my first doctors appointment on Tuesday! I am 14 weeks tomorrow and I am due March 20th, 2009!! YAY! I am so excited to be a mommy!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-7180942619047255486?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/7180942619047255486/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=7180942619047255486' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/7180942619047255486'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/7180942619047255486'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2008/09/baby.html' title='The Baby!!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SNL-dQdq0MI/AAAAAAAAAAo/i34jYylWovw/s72-c/scan001%5B1%5D.bmp' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7200966699119869631.post-9117834320861575235</id><published>2008-09-07T20:14:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-07T20:15:39.208-07:00</updated><title type='text'>Doctors appointment!</title><content type='html'>My doctors appointment is next week! I can't wait!! School is going good, just a lot more work than I though online classes would be. Oh well, I can do it!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7200966699119869631-9117834320861575235?l=erika-niff.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/feeds/9117834320861575235/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7200966699119869631&amp;postID=9117834320861575235' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/9117834320861575235'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/7200966699119869631/posts/default/9117834320861575235'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://erika-niff.blogspot.com/2008/09/doctors-appointment.html' title='Doctors appointment!'/><author><name>The Wintch Family</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/02614565326112470675</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='28' src='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kWm-CmB7On0/SqK6hQpX2uI/AAAAAAAAAB0/deaLtu5Cglg/S220/n1074453671_6735.jpg'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
